What makes Mazda a leader in safety?
What makes Mazda a leader in safety?
Why two independent organizations have recognized Mazda’s safety performance in 2026
In 2026, Mazda’s commitment to protecting what matters most was independently verified by two top organizations: Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Every auto brand talks about safety, but this year has proven that Mazda is a leader in it. And you don’t need to take Mazda’s word for it. Learn more about the organizations that recognized Mazda, and what went into their rigorous safety analyses.
How did Consumer Reports rank Mazda?
Consumer Reports describes itself as “an independent, nonprofit member organization that works side by side with consumers for truth, transparency, and fairness in the marketplace.” In February 2026, it ranked the safest car brands according to its analysis of crash tests, braking, handling and crash-avoidance technology. It deems the safest modern cars to be those that “combine technology that helps prevent collisions with engineering that protects occupants during a crash.” As a result of its analysis, Consumer Reports named Mazda the safest new-car brand.
“Safety is foundational to Mazda's engineering philosophy, and we are honored that Consumer Reports has recognized our unwavering commitment to helping protect drivers, passengers, and everyone who shares the road,” said Jennifer Morrison, Director of Vehicle Safety at Mazda North American Operations, in a press release about the recognition. “This recognition reflects the work of our global engineering teams to integrate advanced safety technologies and outstanding vehicle dynamics into every model we build.”
How many IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards did Mazda earn?
Mazda’s commitment to safety has also been recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS describes itself as “an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage from motor vehicle crashes.” Its tests evaluate two aspects of safety: crashworthiness (“how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash”) and crash avoidance and mitigation (“technology that can prevent a crash or lessen its severity”). Before receiving an award, each vehicle must undergo eight tests. These cover a range of criteria, from side-impact performance and headlight illumination to forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
In 2026, the IIHS recognized eight Mazda models with eight TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards. As of July 2026, that gave Mazda more TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards than any other brand.
What sets Mazda safety apart?
Every new Mazda features a suite of i-Activsense safety technologies that automatically sense the car’s surrounding areas, from nighttime lighting to the proximity of other vehicles. They can help you better recognize hazards, avoid collisions and reduce the severity of accidents.
These technologies include Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Smart Brake Support*, and Lane Departure Warning.
But for Mazda, technology is only part of the story. How its vehicles are engineered and designed matters too, and every element works together in harmony.
“By combining thoughtful engineering, human-centric design, and advanced safety technologies, we are creating vehicles that help prevent crashes and better protect occupants,” said Morrison.
2026 has been a banner year for Mazda safety. But Mazda’s commitment goes beyond awards. It continues to innovate, designing vehicles to give drivers confidence and peace of mind on every drive.
*Feature may vary by model. See Owner’s Manual for details.
